Ethylene Carbonate (2026 Program)

This report discusses the process technologies for ethylene carbonate (EC), a key component in electrolyte formulations for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage, and electronic appliances. EC is produced through the direct cycloaddition reaction of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide and may subsequently undergo purification by distillation or crystallization to produce a high-purity, electronic-grade product. Production economics for the United States, China, Western Europe, and Middle East under a consistent second quarter 2026 price scenario are presented, along with a comparison with the pricing environment in February 2026 to assess the impact of changing market conditions on regional cost competitiveness. This analysis also includes carbon intensity assessments for standalone and integrated process configurations, as well as regional capacity summaries.